Peel and Stick Activation Code for Activating Service for a Wireless Device

ABSTRACT

A system for adding, authorizing, or activating pre-paid wireless service includes a sticker, and a server. The sticker has an authorization code. The sticker is configured to be affixed to a surface of a product. The server is configured to receive the authorization code. The server is further configured to verify that the received authorization code is authentic. The server is further configured to at least one of add, authorize, and activate wireless service in response to receiving and verifying the received authorization code.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/992,239, filed Jan. 11, 2016, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.10,362,179 on Jul. 23, 2019, which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety; which application claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/101,606 filed on Jan. 9, 2015, which ishereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forthherein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates to devices and methods for adding, authorizing,and/or activating prepaid wireless service for a wireless device. Moreparticularly, the disclosure relates to devices and methods for adding,authorizing, and/or activating prepaid wireless services for a wirelessdevice.

BACKGROUND

Wireless service takes one of two forms. A first form is postpaidcontract-based subscription with a wireless service provider (e.g.“provider”). The user is usually billed on a monthly basis for theservice. While a deposit may be required to initiate service, the userpays for the monthly wireless services used at the end of the month,after having already used the wireless services. Thus, credit must beextended to the user so as to allow the payment to follow the provisionof services. However, certain users may not want to be burdened by suchcontract-based wireless service. Some users also do not like unexpectedlarge bills for wireless services used. Accordingly, users may findpre-paid wireless services attractive.

Providers offering pre-paid wireless services allow the user the optionof paying for a predetermined amount of wireless services prior to usingthe service. Thus, the provider is not extending credit to the user, aspayment for the services is made in advance. The wireless user isaccordingly not surprised by large wireless service bills. Moreover, theuser is not burdened and held to a contract that will bind them to thewireless service provider for years.

Typically, a user wishing to purchase pre-paid wireless services from awireless provider, purchases a card having an authorization code. Theauthorization codes enables the wireless device for a predeterminedtime, set amount of airtime, set amount of text messages, set amount ofdata, a combination thereof, and/or the like. The authorization codecorresponds to a credit level. The user may purchase the card from amerchant, from the wireless service provider, or a provider website.These cards are typically sold separately from the wireless device.

If the user desires to obtain wireless services when purchasing thewireless device, the user must know to purchase the card in addition tothe wireless device. Unfortunately, different merchants typically havedifferent sets of activation codes. As such, inventory management canbecome an issue.

There is, however, no convenient way to provide pre-paid wirelessservices for wireless devices that will be sold by multiple merchants.Therefore, there is a need for a convenient and efficient process andsystem for authorizing the use of multiple pre-paid wireless devices.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with the disclosure, a device and method for authorizingwireless service for a wireless device is provided. The device provide aconvenient and efficient way to provide authorization codes for wirelessdevices sold at a variety of merchants.

In one aspect a system for adding, authorizing, or activating pre-paidwireless service includes a sticker, and a server. The sticker has anauthorization code. The sticker is configured to be affixed to a surfaceof a product. The server is configured to receive the authorizationcode. The server is further configured to verify that the receivedauthorization code is authentic. The server is further configured to atleast one of add, authorize, and activate wireless service in responseto receiving and verifying the received authorization code.

In another aspect a method for adding, authorizing, or activatingpre-paid wireless service includes the method steps of affixing asticker having an authorization code to a product, verifying that theauthorization code is authentic, and at least one of adding,authorizing, and activating wireless service in response to receivingand verifying the authorization code.

In yet another aspect a method for adding, authorizing, or activating apre-paid wireless service, includes the method steps of providing afirst web page with the server system to a user of the service. Thefirst web page includes at least an interface for entering information.The method further includes the step of providing an interface with theserver system on said first web page for purchasing additional airtimefor a wireless device user. The method further includes the step ofreceiving a request with the server system for the purchase ofadditional wireless service. The request includes financial transactiondata for purchasing additional airtime. The method further includes thestep of transmitting with the server system a print file configured toprint a sticker. The sticker includes an authorization code in responseto the purchase of additional wireless service.

In a further aspect a system for adding, authorizing, or activating apre-paid wireless service, includes a server. The server is configuredto provide a first web page to a user including at least an interfacefor entering information. The server is further configured to provide aninterface on said first web page for purchasing additional airtime for awireless device user. The server is configured to receive a request withfor the purchase of additional wireless service. The request includesfinancial transaction data for purchasing additional airtime. The serveris configured to transmit a print file for a sticker having anauthorization code in response to the purchase of additional wirelessservice.

In yet a further aspect a device for adding, authorizing, or activatingpre-paid wireless service includes an authorization code printed on asticker surface. The authorization codes includes a format that isconfigured to be verified as authentic by a pre-paid wireless service.The verified authorization code is configured to at least one of add,authorize, and activate pre-paid wireless service.

The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the disclosure, witha device and process configured to conveniently provide wirelessservices for multiple users. In particular, the disclosure is intendedto solve the challenges of providing multiple users, such as a family,with wireless services for each of their wireless devices.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain aspects of thedisclosure in order that the detailed description thereof herein may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects ofthe disclosure that will be described below and which will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one aspect of the disclosurein detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited inits application to the details of construction and to the arrangementsof the components set forth in the following description or illustratedin the drawings. The disclosure is capable of aspects in addition tothose described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the disclosure. It is important, therefore,that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructionsinsofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of thedisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a sticker having a wireless authorization code according tothe disclosure.

FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b show a paper-based printout sticker having aUniversal Product Code (UPC) or other product code in addition to thewireless authorization codes according to the disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a variety of products suitable for use with the stickerhaving the wireless authorization code according to the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a client-server arrangement in accordance with thedisclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates the logical arrangement of a server in accordancewith the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the server whenfacilitating a purchase of prepaid wireless services.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference in this specification to a wireless device is intended toencompass devices such as mobile phones, tablet computers, gamingsystems, MP3 players and the like. Reference to a “wireless device” isintended to encompass any compatible mobile technology computing devicethat connects to a wireless communication network, such as mobilephones, mobile equipment, mobile stations, user equipment, cellularphones, smartphones, handsets or the like (e.g., Apple iPhone, iPad,Google Android based devices, BlackBerry based devices, other types ofPDAs or smartphones), wireless dongles, or other mobile computingdevices. The term “wireless device” may be interchangeably used andreferred to herein as wireless handset, handset, mobile device, device,mobile phones, mobile equipment, mobile station, “user equipment,cellular phone, smartphones, or phone.

Wireless devices may connect to a wireless network or network and areintended to encompass any type of wireless network to obtain mobilephone services through the use of a wireless device, such as a GlobalSystem for Mobile Communication (GSM) network, Code-Division MultipleAccess (CDMA) network, Long Term Evolution (LTE) network or the like,that may utilize the teachings of the present application to allow awireless device to connect to a wireless network.

Reference in this specification to “one aspect,” “an aspect,” “otheraspects,” “one or more aspects” or the like means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theaspect is included in at least one aspect of the disclosure. Theappearances of, for example, the phrase “in one aspect” in variousplaces in the specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame aspect, nor are separate or alternative aspects mutually exclusiveof other aspects. Moreover, various features are described which may beexhibited by some aspects and not by others. Similarly, variousrequirements are described, which may be requirements for some aspectsbut not other aspects.

FIG. 1 shows a sticker having a wireless authorization code according tothe disclosure. In particular, FIG. 1 shows a sticker 10 having awireless authorization code 12, an adhesive 14, and a backing 16. Theauthorization code 12 may provide a predetermined amount of wirelessservice and/or the amount of wireless service may be purchased oraugmented at the point of sale. The predetermined amount of wirelessservice and/or purchased service may include one or more or acombination of wireless services. The wireless services may includewireless airtime, wireless messaging, wireless data, days of service, orthe like. The aspect of the sticker 10 shown in FIG. 1 being astand-alone device is merely exemplary. The sticker 10 can be sold inthe same manner as a pre-paid card and/or the sticker 10 may be affixedto a product or packaging for the product. For example, the sticker 10may be sold alone or as a set of stickers and purchased by the wirelessuser at a retail establishment, over the telephone, by mail, through awireless service provider website or the like. Alternatively, thesticker 10 may be affixed to any suitable product and purchased by thewireless user at the retail establishment, over the telephone, by mail,through a wireless service provider website or the like.

FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b shows a paper-based printout sticker 10 having aUniversal Product Code (UPC) 18 or other product code, in addition tothe wireless authorization code 12 according to the disclosure. In someaspects, the other product code may be a code associated with theEuropean Article Numbering (EAN) system and/or the Japanese ArticleNumbering (JAN) system. In this regard, the merchant may cover anexisting UPC for a product with the sticker 10 having the UPC 18. Inthis manner, the product that includes the sticker 10 can be easilydistinguished from the product sold without the sticker 10. In addition,inventory of the product is greatly simplified. For example, the productmanufacturer may simply sell the merchant the packaged product and themerchant may simply maintain an inventory of the product without thesticker 10. When the product with the sticker 10 is purchased, thesticker 10 may be placed on a product from inventory to replace the solditem. Optionally, the sticker 10 may include a personal identificationnumber (PIN) 19 code for activating the authorization code 12. Alsooptionally, the PIN 19 may be covered with a material suitable for beingscratched off to reveal the PIN 19. In a further aspect, FIG. 2b furtherillustrates a paper-based printout sticker 10 that may include amagnetic stripe 38 capable of storing data by modifying a magnetism ofiron-based magnetic particles on a band of magnetic material. Themagnetic stripe 38 may be read by swiping past a magnetic reading head.

To further simplify the inventory, the sticker 10 may be printed by themerchant as the stickers 10 are sold. That is, the merchant may beassigned a block of wireless authorization codes 12 available to beprinted out and then may print out the stickers 10 on an “as needed”basis. Similarly, the wireless user may purchase the authorization codes12 at a retail establishment, over the telephone, by mail, through awireless service provider website or the like and print them out. Again,the authorization codes 12 may be pre-paid and/or activated at a pointof sale or electronically over the phone or computer. The user may thenprint out the sticker 10 and place it on a suitable item such as awireless device.

According to another aspect, the sticker 10 may be affixed to a card 20as shown in FIG. 3. For example, the sticker 10 may be affixed to ablank or expired card 20 so that the card 20 may include a valid code12. In this manner, expired or exhausted cards 20 may be reused. Inaddition, the merchant may reduce inventory issues surroundingmaintaining a large supply of valid pre-paid codes 12. Instead, thesticker 10 may be printed and affixed to the card 20 as shown in FIG. 3.The authorization code 12 may provide a predetermined amount of wirelessservice as described above. The aspect of paper printout of the sticker10 being affixed to the card 20 is merely exemplary. The paper printoutof the sticker 10 can be used as-is or affixed to any suitable product.

FIG. 3 shows a variety of products 22 suitable for use with the sticker10 having the wireless authorization code 12 according to thedisclosure. The products 22 shown in FIG. 3 may include a headset, sparebattery, charger, carrying case, or various unrelated items such as adrinking cup, magazine, coupon, brochure, and the like. Each of theproducts 22 may have the sticker 10 directly affixed and/or affixed topackaging for the product 22. The aspect of the sticker 10 being on anyparticular product and/or packaging is merely exemplary.

The stickers 10 may be placed on the products 22 at any suitable time.For example, the sticker 10 may be affixed to the product 22 prior toshipping to the point of sale. In another example, the sticker 10 may beplaced on the product 22 at the point of sale by the merchant, forexample. In yet another example, the sticker 10 may be placed on theproduct 22 by the wireless user following the purchase of the product 22and the sticker 10. Of course, other implementations are contemplatedand are within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as well.

FIG. 4 illustrates an arrangement of a client-server system inaccordance with the disclosure. In one aspect, the system may be awebsite, which implements a web-store that provides the sticker 10. Thesystem includes a server 24, a plurality of client devices 26 and anetwork connection 28. The server 24 communicates with the clientdevices 26 by employing the network connection 28. The networkconnection may be facilitated by an Internet connection. The clientdevices 26 may be personal communication devices that have web browsingcapabilities. Examples of such devices include tablet computers 32,personal computers 34, PDAs, and wireless devices 36.

In operation, the server 24 may generate web pages that are provided tothe client devices 26 in response to requests in the form of URLsubmissions. The web pages include static code pages as well as dynamiccode pages, which are constructed based on user input and other systemcriteria. The web pages include controls, which facilitate user dataentry. Such controls include entry boxes, selection boxes, togglebuttons, drop down lists, and the like. The user device operator canemploy the client devices 26 to transmit web page data to the server.The structure and operation of the server 24 is discussed below.

FIG. 5 illustrates the structure of a server 24 of the disclosure. Asmay be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the illustratedstructure is a logical structure and not a physical one. Accordingly,the illustrated modules can be implemented by employing various hardwareand software components. In addition, two or more of the logicalcomponents can be implemented as a single module that providesfunctionality for both components. In one aspect, the components areimplemented as software program modules.

The server includes a communication module 40, a customer module 42, asecurity module 44, an authorization module 46, and a purchasing module48. The communication module 40 may be coupled to the authorizationmodule 46 to receive authorization codes, which are used to authorize oractivate wireless devices. The communication module 40 may also becoupled to the customer module 42 so as to retrieve customer accountdata, if available. In an alternate aspect, the customer module 42 isnot included in the server 24. The communication module 40 may also becoupled to the purchasing module 48 to execute payment transactions. Forexample, a credit card payment transaction is facilitated by employingthe purchasing module 48.

The authorization module 46 may be further coupled to the securitymodule 44, which generates the authorization codes 12 for the stickers10. The security module 44 provides functions and algorithms forgenerating the activation codes 12. For example, in one aspect, theactivation codes 12 for particular wireless devices may depend on theproviding a wireless device information. Accordingly, the securitymodule 44 stores such data corresponding to each wireless device. Whenactivation codes for the wireless devices are requested, the securitymodule 44 responds by transmitting the activation codes associated tothe wireless devices.

In operation, the communication module 40 provides web pages to a usersystem in response to the web page requests. The communication module 40responds to the web page requests by employing the various modules ofthe server 24. For example, in response to a request for a customerinformation page, the communication module 40 requests data from thecustomer module 42 so as to generate a dynamic web page, which istransmitted to the user system.

When the user requests to purchase the sticker 10 having theauthorization code 12, the communication module 40 transmits a purchaseweb page to the user system. The user employs controls within thereceived web page so as to enter payment data, including paymentinformation. The user system transmits the resultant data to thecommunication module 40. The payment transaction may then be executed bythe purchasing module 48, which provides a corresponding response to thecommunication module 40. The authorization codes 12 may then betransmitted to the user system as a web page 62. In one aspect, theauthorization codes 12 are transmitted over a secure connection such assecure socket layer (SSL) or the like. Alternatively, the authorizationcodes 12 may be provided to the user on the sticker 10 (via mail, byretail merchant, or the like). Alternatively, the authorization codes 12may be provided to a user and printed on a paper printout of the sticker10 (via mail, by retail merchant, internet-enabled computer or thelike).

FIG. 5 implementation you may be utilized by a single wireless user.Alternatively or additionally, the FIG. 5 implementation may be utilizedby a retailer at a point-of-sale. Alternatively or additionally, theFIG. 5 implementation may be utilized by a distributor. Otherapplications of the FIG. 5 implementation are contemplated.

FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of the server 24 when the user selectsto purchase an activation code from the provider. The user firstconnects to the provider website by submitting the provider website URLin the user browser application. The user then selects to purchase anauthorization code from a start web-page. The user is provided with asecond web-page that requests an activation type selection. For example,the user may wish to activate local calling functionality only.Additionally, the user may wish to activate roaming functionality.Accordingly, the user can select the desired activation from thecontrols provided by the web-page (step 50). In addition, the user isprompted to enter an amount of service credit, number of authorizationcodes or the like in an entry box of the page.

The server 24 receives the user data (step 52) and provides a web-pageto the user system that includes a payment indication for the requestedauthorization (step 54). The user is provided with controls, which allowfor the selection and entry of payment data. For example, the userselects a credit card type and enters a credit card number with acorresponding expiration date. The server 24 receives the payment datafrom the user and transmits the data to the purchasing module 48 (step56). The purchasing module 48 processes the data according to theselected payment type (step 58). If the payment transaction issuccessful, the purchasing module 48 transmits a corresponding signal tothe communication module 40. The communication module 40 requestsauthorization codes from the authorization module 46. At this time, theuser may be required to provide a unit identification so as to enablethe server 24 to select proper authorization codes. In another aspect,the server provides an authorization code regardless of the unitidentification. The authorization module 46 employs the security module44 to identify authorization codes for the user request, as discussedabove. The authorization codes are then transmitted to the user system,preferably as part of a web-page (step 60). The authorization codes areadvantageously provided over a secure connection.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the user may then use the authorization code12 to add service, activate service, and/or authorize service for one ormore wireless devices. For example, a user can enter the authorizationcode 12 into the wireless device 36 of FIG. 4. The wireless device 36may transmit the authorization code 12 to the Internet 30, to a mobilenetwork 64 or the like. The transmitted authorization code 12 may beverified by the server 24, a server provisioning wireless service to theuser, or the like. Additionally, the server 24, the server provisioningwireless server to the user, or the like may respond to the userindicating that the code has been verified, service has been added,service has been authorized, service has been activated, or the like.

Additionally, the wireless device 36 may include an application, memory,or the like (hereinafter application 66) that is configured to implementthe authorization code transmission process. For example, theapplication 66 may be a so-called pre-paid engine. The application 66may also receive a response from the server 24, the server provisioningwireless server to the user, or the like indicating that the code hasbeen verified, service has been added, service has been authorized,service has been activated or the like. The application 66 may also beconfigured to control use of the wireless device 36 based oninteractions with the server 24, the server provisioning wireless serverto the user, or the like.

In an alternative aspect, the authorization code 12 may be transmittedover the cellular communication link to the wireless device 36 withoutthe need for the user to manually enter a code. In this regard,purchasing the multiple authorization codes, as described above, alsoincludes transmission of the codes to one or more wireless devices 36.Similarly, purchasing multiple authorization codes may simply signal themobile network 64 or the application 66 to add, activate, authorize orthe like wireless service to the wireless device 36.

In an alternative aspect, a user can enter one of the authorizationcodes into the personal computer 34 or tablet computer 32 of FIG. 4. Thepersonal computer 34 or tablet computer 32 may transmit theauthorization code to the Internet 30, or the like. The transmittedauthorization code may be verified by the server 24, a serverprovisioning wireless service to the user, or the like. Additionally,the server 24, the server provisioning wireless server to the user, orthe like may respond to the user indicating that the code has beenverified, service has been added, service has been authorized, servicehas been activated, or the like. The application 66 may also receive aresponse from the server 24, the server provisioning wireless server tothe user, or the like indicating that the code has been verified,service has been added, service has been authorized, service has beenactivated or the like. The application 66 may also be configured tocontrol use of the wireless device 36 based on interaction with theserver 24, the server provisioning wireless server to the user, or thelike.

In yet another aspect, where the credit level for a user is storedwithin the system, the user does not receive an authorization code butis able to use the service for each of the users they want to provideservice shortly after making the purchase.

Although the disclosure was discussed in terms of certain preferredaspects, the description is not limited to such aspects. Rather, thedisclosure includes other aspects including those apparent to a personof ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the scope of the disclosure shouldnot be limited by the preceding description but should be ascertained byreference to the claims that follow.

For the purposes of this disclosure a computer readable medium storescomputer data, which data can include computer program code that isexecutable by a processor of the server, PC, SIM or mobile device, inmachine readable form. By way of example, and not limitation, a computerreadable medium may include computer readable storage media, fortangible or fixed storage of data, or communication media for transientinterpretation of code-containing signals. Computer readable storagemedia, as used herein, refers to physical or tangible storage (asopposed to signals) and includes without limitation volatile andnon-volatile, removable and nonremovable storage media implemented inany method or technology for the tangible storage of information such ascomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data. Computer readable storage media includes, but is not limitedto, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid state memorytechnology, optical storage media, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any otherphysical or material medium which can be used to tangibly store thedesired information or data or instructions and which can be accessed bya processor or computing device. In one or more aspects, the actionsand/or events of a method, algorithm, or module may reside as one or anycombination or set of codes and/or instructions on a computer readablemedium or machine readable medium, which may be incorporated into acomputer program product.

Aspects of the disclosure may include communication channels that may beany type of wired or wireless electronic communications network, suchas, e.g., a wired/wireless local area network (LAN), a wired/wirelesspersonal area network (PAN), a wired/wireless home area network (HAN), awired/wireless wide area network (WAN), a campus network, a metropolitannetwork, an enterprise private network, a virtual private network (VPN),an internetwork, a backbone network (BBN), a global area network (GAN),the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, an overlay network, Near fieldcommunication (NFC), a cellular telephone network, a PersonalCommunications Service (PCS), using known protocols such as the GlobalSystem for Mobile Communications (GSM), CDMA (Code-Division MultipleAccess), GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA network technologies, Long TermEvolution (LTE), 5G (5th generation mobile networks or 5th generationwireless systems), WiMAX, HSPA+, W-CDMA (Wideband Code-Division MultipleAccess), CDMA2000 (also known as C2K or IMT Multi-Carrier (IMT-MC)),Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, and/or the like, and/or acombination of two or more thereof. The NFC standards covercommunications protocols and data exchange formats, and are based onexisting radio-frequency identification (RFID) standards includingISO/IEC 14443 and FeliCa. The standards include ISO/IEC 18092[3] andthose defined by the NFC Forum.

In an aspect, the disclosure may be implemented in any type of mobilesmartphones that are operated by any type of advanced mobile dataprocessing and communication operating system, such as, e.g., an AppleiOS operating system, a Google Android operating system, a RIMBlackberry operating system, a Nokia Symbian operating system, aMicrosoft Windows Mobile operating system, a Microsoft Windows Phoneoperating system, a Linux operating system or the like.

Further in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation with dedicatedhardware implementations including, but not limited to, microprocessors,PCs, PDAs, SIM cards, semiconductors, application specific integratedcircuits (ASIC), programmable logic arrays, cloud computing devices, andother hardware devices constructed to implement the methods describedherein.

Additionally, the various aspects of the disclosure may be implementedin a non-generic computer implementation. Moreover, the various aspectsof the disclosure set forth herein improve the functioning of the systemas is apparent from the disclosure hereof. Furthermore, the variousaspects of the disclosure involve computer hardware that it specificallyprogrammed to solve the complex problem addressed by the disclosure.Accordingly, the various aspects of the disclosure improve thefunctioning of the system overall in its specific implementation toperform the process set forth by the disclosure and as defined by theclaims.

Aspects of the disclosure may include a server executing an instance ofan application or software configured to accept requests from a clientand giving responses accordingly. The server may run on any computerincluding dedicated computers. The computer may include at least oneprocessing element, typically a central processing unit (CPU), and someform of memory. The processing element may carry out arithmetic andlogic operations, and a sequencing and control unit may change the orderof operations in response to stored information. The server may includeperipheral devices that may allow information to be retrieved from anexternal source, and the result of operations saved and retrieved. Theserver may operate within a client-server architecture. The server mayperform some tasks on behalf of clients. The clients may connect to theserver through the network on a communication channel as defined herein.The server may use memory with error detection and correction, redundantdisks, redundant power supplies and so on.

In an aspect, the disclosure may be web-based. For example, a server mayoperate a web application to allow the disclosure to operate inconjunction with a database. The web application may be hosted in abrowser-controlled environment (e.g., a Java applet and/or the like),coded in a browser-supported language (e.g., JavaScript combined with abrowser-rendered markup language (e.g., Hyper Text Markup Language(HTML) and/or the like)) and/or the like such that any computer runninga common web browser (e.g., Internet Explorer™, Firefox™, Chrome™Safari™ or the like) may render the application executable. A web-basedservice may be more beneficial due to the ubiquity of web browsers andthe convenience of using a web browser as a client (i.e., thin client).Further, with inherent support for cross-platform compatibility, the webapplication may be maintained and updated without distributing andinstalling software on each.

While the system and method have been described in terms of what arepresently considered to be specific aspects, the disclosure need not belimited to the disclosed aspects. It is intended to cover variousmodifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similarstructures. The present disclosure includes any and all aspects of thefollowing claims.

1. A system for adding, authorizing, or activating pre-paid wirelessservice comprising: a server configured to generate an authorizationcode that adds, authorizes, and activates pre-paid wireless service fora wireless device; a sticker having the authorization code on a firstside, the sticker having an adhesive on a second side opposite to thefirst side, the sticker being configured to be affixed to a surface of aproduct; the authorization code further comprising a personalidentification number (PIN), the personal identification number (PIN)being arranged on the sticker and the personal identification number(PIN) being covered with a material configured to conceal the personalidentification number (PIN) and the material being configured to bescratched off to reveal the personal identification number (PIN); awireless device application configured to implement an authorizationcode transmission process to transmit the authorization code to theserver over a network from the wireless device to request provisioningof wireless services from the server; the server further configured toreceive the authorization code over the network from the wirelessdevice; the server further configured to verify that the authorizationcode from the wireless device is authentic; and the server furtherconfigured to at least one of add, authorize, and activate the pre-paidwireless service for the wireless device in response to receiving andverifying the authorization code from the wireless device, wherein theauthorization code authorizes the server to provision wireless servicesfor the wireless device that includes wireless airtime, wirelessmessaging, and wireless data.
 2. The system according to claim 1,further comprising a product packaging configured to retain the productfor sales, wherein the sticker is configured to be affixed to a surfaceof the product packaging, wherein the authorization code is activated bya point-of-sale.
 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein theauthorization code authorizes wireless services that further includesdays of wireless service.
 4. The system according to claim 1, furthercomprising a card, wherein the sticker is configured to be affixed to asurface of the card.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein theserver is further configured to store data corresponding to the wirelessdevice; and wherein the authorization code is activated by apoint-of-sale.
 6. A method for adding, authorizing, or activatingpre-paid wireless service comprising: providing a server configured togenerate an authorization code that adds, authorizes, and activatespre-paid wireless service for a wireless device; affixing a stickerhaving the authorization code to a product or affixing the sticker to apackaging of the product wherein the authorization code furthercomprises a personal identification number (PIN), the personalidentification number (PIN) being arranged on the sticker and thepersonal identification number (PIN) being covered with a materialconfigured to conceal the personal identification number (PIN) and thematerial being configured to be scratched off to reveal the personalidentification number (PIN); implementing a wireless device applicationconfigured to implement an authorization code transmission process totransmit the authorization code to the server over a network from thewireless device to request provisioning of wireless services from theserver; receiving over the network the authorization code to the server,the authorization code being sent over the network from the wirelessdevice; verifying that the authorization code is authentic with theserver; and at least one of adding, authorizing, and activating thepre-paid wireless service for the wireless device with the server inresponse to receiving and verifying the authorization code from thewireless device, wherein the authorization code authorizes the server toprovision wireless services for the wireless device that includeswireless airtime, wireless messaging, and wireless data.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 6, further comprising providing a bar product code tothe sticker, wherein the authorization code is activated by apoint-of-sale.
 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein theauthorization code is activated by a point-of-sale.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 6, further comprising providing a bar code to thesticker.
 10. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:storing in a security module data corresponding to the wireless device,wherein the product is a card and the sticker is affixed to a surface ofthe card; and wherein the authorization code is activated by apoint-of-sale.
 11. A method for adding, authorizing, or activatingpre-paid wireless service, comprising: providing a first web page with aserver system to a user of pre-paid wireless service, the first web pageincluding at least an interface for entering information; providing aninterface with the server system on said first web page for purchasingpre-paid wireless service for a wireless device; receiving a requestwith the server system for the purchase of the pre-paid wirelessservice, the request including financial transaction data for purchasingthe pre-paid wireless service; generating an authorization code with theserver system that at least one of adds, authorizes, and activates thepre-paid wireless service for a wireless device; transmitting with theserver system a print file configured to print a sticker, the stickerincluding an authorization code in response to the purchase of thepre-paid wireless service; configuring the sticker to have theauthorization code on a first side, the sticker having an adhesive on asecond side opposite to the first side, the sticker being configured tobe affixed to a surface of a product and wherein the authorization codefurther comprises a personal identification number (PIN); arranging thepersonal identification number (PIN) on the sticker; covering thepersonal identification number (PIN) with a material configured toconceal the personal identification number (PIN) and the material beingconfigured to be scratched off to reveal the personal identificationnumber (PIN); affixing the sticker to a card; implementing a wirelessdevice application configured to implement an authorization codetransmission process to transmit the authorization code to the serversystem over a network from the wireless device to request provisioningof wireless services from the server system; receiving over the networkthe authorization code to the server system, the authorization codebeing sent over the network from the wireless device; verifying that theauthorization code is authentic with the server system; and at least oneof adding, authorizing, and activating the pre-paid wireless service forthe wireless device with the server system in response to receiving andverifying the authorization code from the wireless device, wherein theauthorization code authorizes the server system to provision wirelessservices for the wireless device that includes wireless airtime,wireless messaging, and wireless data.
 12. The method according to claim11, further comprising printing the sticker that includes arranging thepersonal identification number (PIN) on the sticker, wherein theauthorization code is activated by a point-of-sale.
 13. The methodaccording to claim 12, wherein the printing the sticker further includescovering the personal identification number (PIN) being with a materialconfigured to conceal the PIN and the material being configured to bescratched off to reveal the personal identification number (PIN). 14.The method according to claim 12, further comprising affixing thesticker to a product.
 15. A system for adding, authorizing, oractivating pre-paid wireless service, comprising: a server configured toprovide a first web page to a user including at least an interface forentering information; the server further configured to provide aninterface on said first web page for purchasing pre-paid wirelessservice for a wireless device; the server configured to receive arequest with for the purchase of the pre-paid wireless service, therequest including financial transaction data for purchasing additionalairtime; the server configured to generate an authorization code thatadds, authorizes, and activates the pre-paid wireless service for awireless device; the server configured to transmit a print file for asticker having an authorization code in response to the purchase of thepre-paid wireless service; the sticker having the authorization code ona first side, the sticker having an adhesive on a second side oppositeto the first side, the sticker being configured to be affixed to asurface of a product, and wherein the authorization code furthercomprises a personal identification number (PIN), the personalidentification number (PIN) being arranged on the sticker and thepersonal identification number (PIN) being covered with a materialconfigured to conceal the personal identification number (PIN) and thematerial being configured to be scratched off to reveal the personalidentification number (PIN); a product packaging configured to retainthe product for sales, wherein the sticker is configured to be affixedto a surface of the product packaging; a wireless device applicationconfigured to implement an authorization code transmission process totransmit the authorization code to the server over a network from thewireless device to request provisioning of the pre-paid wirelessservices from the server; the server further configured to receive theauthorization code over the network from the wireless device; the serverfurther configured to verify that the authorization code from thewireless device is authentic; and the server further configured to atleast one of add, authorize, and activate the pre-paid wireless servicefor the wireless device in response to receiving and verifying theauthorization code from the wireless device, wherein the authorizationcode authorizes the server to provision wireless services for thewireless device that includes wireless airtime, wireless messaging, andwireless data.
 16. The system according to claim 15, further comprising:a printer to print the sticker that includes the personal identificationnumber (PIN) associated with the authorization code, the personalidentification number (PIN) being arranged on the sticker and thepersonal identification number (PIN) being covered with the materialconfigured to conceal the personal identification number (PIN) and thematerial being configured to be scratched off to reveal the personalidentification number (PIN).
 17. The system according to claim 16,wherein the authorization code is activated by a point-of-sale.
 18. Thesystem according to claim 16, further comprising: a card, wherein thesticker is configured to be affixed to a surface of the card; and theserver further configured to store data corresponding to the wirelessdevice.
 19. The system according to claim 16, further comprising a card,wherein the sticker is configured to be affixed to a surface of thecard.
 20. The system according to claim 16, further comprising: aproduct code disposed upon the sticker; and the server furtherconfigured to store data corresponding to the wireless device.